A Comparative Study on Understorey Vegetation Diversity in Eucalyptus Plantations in Hainan Island

摘要

Eucalypts are widely planted in southern China, but stands have a simple structure and poor diversity of understorey vegetation. Understorey vegetation is an important component of the artificial plantation ecosystem, playing a role in maintaining soil fertility (Maohe Yao et al. 1991; Yu Xuebiao 1999). Growing volume and biomass of 4.5-year-old eucalypt plantations decreased with successive rotations (Yu Xuebiao 1999). Biodiversity also decreases with continuous planting, and understorey vegetationis a component and technical link in management and sustainable development of forest plantations.